Don’t Laugh at Me and My Mat

2621
Rant - Don’t Laugh at Me and My Mat

Mary writes: I’m black, I’m female and I surf. When I paddle out at a spot where people don’t know me, I’m met with stares, silent curiosity, whispering and, ultimately, smiles. Those reactions used to unnerve me when I first started surfing. Over the years, I’ve gotten to the place where I don’t always notice the reactions of others when I enter the water.

Then I started riding a mat. (Cue every surfer within a 200 yard radius turning to see who I am and what exactly I think I’m doing out there on that inflatable pool toy.)

Source: Read the Full Story
5
rant by burro
6 comments

madpie
1 year ago

only kooks like George Greenough ride surf mats.

edit: I love the line from the article: "Whenever I’m on a mat, I can’t help but think, 'This shit is so much fun!' "

3
hasbro
1 year ago

if greenough's a kook, then yr in good company ;)

3
King of Kooks
1 year ago

The King has one of these. It's quite a challenge to ride properly.

2
greacen
1 year ago

I used to ride a mat back in the olden days. We called it a raft at that point though. It was surprisingly fun and maneuverable in small-ish waves. Never tried it in bigger stuff.

2
surfpunk
1 year ago

growing up on the east coast, mats were the BOMB (no black ball). my dad helped me over inflate them to really hold a line. my buddy had a rebel flag mat/ raft. entire top was the stars and bars. not sure how that would go over outside of myrtle beach.

2
Hodad
1 year ago

HAHA! I think we used them in the late 60's? Damn.... long time ago. Left side of Santa Monica pier. Dad would body surf and play volleyball. Yes greacen, we called them a raft too. Maybe we shouldn't say that word (raft), if they don't call it that these days. We don't want to offend anyone LMAO!!!

1
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